Taking an iPhone 2G to Europe. Can someone explain to me how?

[Becky2010]

I have searched through all the forums, and I still don't understand. So if anyone is patient enough to explain this to me, I will be greatly appreciative! I have an original iPhone that is serving as an awesome iPod for my kids since I upgraded to a 3GS. I am traveling to Europe soon, and really would love to have an iPhone with me. If I unlock (or jailbreak? I still don't understand what the difference is) my original phone, can I buy SIM cards that would work overseas? And then what phone number does it work under? I'm actually less interested in making phone calls than I am in being able to use all the apps (maps, etc) while I'm there. Would a SIM card help me do that? I would not want to jailbreak or unlock my current iPhone, as I've found that the warranty is incredibly useful.

The original iPhone is running 3.1.2 if that helps!

 

[Eraserhead]

If you get a new SIM card you'll get a new local phone number.

 

[-Ryan-]

Ok. A number of questions here to be answered. Jailbreaking is not unlocking. Jailbreaking is what could be described as a prerequisite for unlocking. By jailbreaking, you are allowing access to the parts of the phone that Apple don't want you to have access to. Thus, you install an unlock 'App' that will allow the phone to operate unlocked. Once you have done this you can use any SIM card from around the world in the phone; when you use a different SIM card, the phone number from the SIM currently in the phone is used. So if you buy a local SIM, it is the local number that will work with the phone. If you buy a local SIM, you will need to buy a prepaid one and pay credit for data usage. You say 'Europe' implying you are going to multiple countries. As with any travelling, data roaming is extremely expensive, so buy a new local SIM for each country you visit.

 

[Eraserhead]

Roaming within Europe is generally regulated so some of the charges are limited to be reasonable - though I don't think that applies to data.

 

[-Ryan-]

Roaming within Europe is generally regulated so some of the charges are limited to be reasonable - though I don't think that applies to data.

It's still not reasonable anyway what would be considered reasonable. They've come down a hell of a lot, but I still keep my local SIMs for Italy, Germany and France.

 

[Becky2010]

Thank you! So I need to unlock my phone (and it seems there are numerous ways to do this somewhat easily), and then get SIM cards for the countries I am traveling to. I'm actually going to Spain, France and then to Morocco. Can I purchase these SIM cards before I leave, or will one work for all three countries?

So does the SIM card also allow me to surf the web or make certain apps work even if I'm not in a WIFI area? If not is there anything I can do about this?

I truly appreciate all of the help.

 

[-Ryan-]

Thank you! So I need to unlock my phone (and it seems there are numerous ways to do this somewhat easily), and then get SIM cards for the countries I am traveling to. I'm actually going to Spain, France and then to Morocco. Can I purchase these SIM cards before I leave, or will one work for all three countries?

You will need to buy the SIM in the countries once you arrive. Research on the Internet what the dominant carrier is in the country, and find a store for the carrier. There you can buy a SIM and credit.

So does the SIM card also allow me to surf the web or make certain apps work even if I'm not in a WIFI area?

Yes. Although if it's a 2G it will be quite slow, as much of rural Europe has only GPRS Internet (much like the US I suppose) and otherwise you will only get Edge access.

 

[Becky2010]

You will need to buy the SIM in the countries once you arrive. Research on the Internet what the dominant carrier is in the country, and find a store for the carrier. There you can buy a SIM and credit.


Yes. Although if it's a 2G it will be quite slow, as much of rural Europe has only GPRS Internet (much like the US I suppose) and otherwise you will only get Edge access.

Thank you! Slow is fine - I just would love it be able to access certain apps, etc.